American Pickers document Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz as they make their way across the nation, seeking special relics, secret treasures, and lost memorabilia. By going through all the things they see in huge junkyards to home basements, they do this! They meet a lot of colorful folks along the way as well. Can you believe that for 21 seasons, the show has been on the air? It’s still going strong, although, behind the scenes, many things have happened. Allegations have been made that everything is staged and that there are rumors about financial concerns. Check out to find out everything you need to know about the show!
Here Are The Secrets That American Pickers Does Not Want You To Know
The Overseas Spinoffs Did Not Last
The show was a huge success in the United States. The show created spin-offs in Australia and Canada because of its popularity. Unfortunately, they did not see almost the same level of success. The Canadian iteration continued for only four seasons. On the other hand, with only two seasons, the Australian season was even more unfortunate.
The Overseas Spinoffs Did Not Last
Not His Only Source Of Income
Mike Wolfe has other sources of income, aside from co-hosting the show. He is the owner, as fans know, of a vintage antique shop named Antique Archaeology. It is run by Danielle, who is the manager of the store. He also has a clothing company, a coffee shop, a candy store, and a photography studio.
Not His Only Source Of Income
Playing Himself On NCIS
Would you like to know exactly how popular American pickers are? Well, it’s actually so popular that Mike Wolf got the chance to play himself on NCIS. Not a lot of people can say the same thing! He’s in the “One Man’s Trash” episode if you want to see him in the hit drama
Playing Himself On NCIS
A Complaint Brought Frank To Court
There was a time when Frank Fritz was sued by an auctioneer-collector named Jerry Bruce! For a piece of old farm equipment called a polarimeter, he paid the host. Fritz told him it was $300 for him, but he didn’t cash the check or send the device. In the end, Bruce brought home $1,000 over this.
A Complaint Brought Frank To Court
He Was Also Arrested For DUI
Frank Fritz was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated in 2018. As everyone knows, when you have something to drink, it’s terrible to drive. It’s an irresponsible and dangerous thing to do. He had to go to the rehabilitation program and had been on probation for one year.
He Was Also Arrested For DUI
Ever Since He Was Young
For Mike Wolfe, everything began when he was a little boy. This was when he developed a passion for collecting! The story began when he stumbled upon an abandoned bike. For $5, he managed to sell it off. He would search for rusty bikes after that, fix them up, and sell them for a profit.
Ever Since He Was Young
Hobo Jack Is Now A Star
Are you familiar with Hobo Jack from the show? Actually, his real name is Jack J. Sophir. Among the fans of the show, he has proven to be a hit. As a matter of fact, he released his very own album full of original recordings. How awesome is that?
Hobo Jack Is Now A Star
Rumors Of A Secret Relationship
At the moment, Mike Wolfe is in a happy relationship with Jodi Faeth. The couple also has a child between them. Even after that, some people are speculating that he and Frank Fritz are actually in a secret affair! It’s just a rumor to make things straight for you. The co-hosts are close friends, though.
Rumors Of A Secret Relationship
Raking In The Cash
Since they seem like down-to-earth men who lead modest lives, many people love Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz. However, don’t be fooled! Most fans have no idea that the area that hosts American Pickers is actually rolling in cash. Mike, in fact, currently has a net worth of approximately $ 4 million.
Raking In The Cash
Even Before The Show
It’s not difficult to see that Danielle and Mike are great friends. Then again, they’ve known each other for more than two decades. In fact, both of them worked together long before the show started! That is why, in front of the cameras, they have such good chemistry.
Even Before The Show
The Truth About Reality-TV
Reality TV shows like to say they’re telling us the truth. But many aspects of the shows are fake more often than not. As for the American Pickers, the show is the hardest one to give the viewers a real experience. While the purchases actually take place, the negotiations take place off-camera.
The Truth About Reality-TV
How To Strike A Deal
Watching the banter between the sellers and the hosts is always entertaining. It turns out, though, that things are not exactly as they seem. Apparently, the producers tell the sellers to name a price that is higher than they really want. This way, until they reach a certain number, the hosts can continue talking it down.
How To Strike A Deal
They Also Plant Items
However, the price is not the only thing that has been staged. Apparently, some special items are also being staged by the producers! There’s going to be something for the hosts to discuss and talk about. Oh, well, we doubt that anyone thought they’d found all these things at random. That’s what reality TV is like, after all.
They Also Plant Items
Danielle Is An Important Part Of The Show
Although the “pickers” are Frank and Mike, let’s not forget that Danielle has an important job as well. Actually, when the cameras aren’t around, it’s the person who runs the shop! That’s not all, but she also has her own boutique store. It’s called 4Miles 2Memphis.
Danielle Is An Important Part Of The Show
Owing Back Taxes
What else is there to say in the show about the shop manager? Well, it turns out that in 2013, Danielle received a letter from the IRS. It said she owed thousands of dollars worth of back taxes! These come from her vintage items being sold. So she didn’t only get one of those, you know.
Owing Back Taxes
Mike Wanted To End The Show
Who would have guessed that, at one point, Mike did not want to keep going with the show? In 2016, hoping to focus on his daughter, the reality TV show star wanted to stop. We’re curious to know what made him change his mind. The show is still going strong even to this day, after all!
Mike Wanted To End The Show
Starting Them Young
Mike started a project to encourage children to get creative and find valuable objects. In LeClaire, Iowa, he launched a Kid Pickers flea market! This is a great way to encourage children to take an interest in a hobby that is fascinating. Let us not forget that when he was young, he became interested in it as well.
Starting Them Young
An Episode About Star Wars
The whole episode dedicated to the Star Wars franchise was here! This happened when the crew met a former Lucasfilm employee who owned a super rare piece of memorabilia. And how cool is that? When it came out, we are sure that fans of the sci-fi series loved watching the episode in question.
An Episode About Star Wars
Prince Mongo For Mayor
Prince Mongo is impossible to forget. This was the eccentric guy on the show who created a very colorful character. His house was filled with interesting objects! But there’s something about him that you might not know. Did you know he ran for mayor several times in Memphis, Tennessee?
Prince Mongo For Mayor
Time To Give Back
Mike Wolfe has also worked with an “Operation Smile” charity organization. Its objective is to help children who have a cleft palate or lip. Since his daughter had this condition, that was only natural. He made sure to raise awareness of it and helped many other children with the same disorder!
Time To Give Back
Moonlighting As A Dancer
You probably know right now that Danielle is a wonderful woman. She’s a great shop manager, but did you know she’s also a burlesque dancer? We are happy that she gets to talk about this part of her life as well. She talked about how much it had changed her life and boosted her confidence.
Moonlighting As A Dancer
Hobo Jack Is An Author
Another famous personality on the show is Hobo Jack. The fans love him! If you didn’t know, he’s actually a published author. You might want to check out the historical fiction novel that came out in 2014. You’re going to find it under the title “Amazing Adventures of the Tramp Prince.”
Hobo Jack Is An Author
Not Always A Professional
Although Frank Fritz is a co-host of American Pickers, he wasn’t a professional before that. Yes, it was only after he joined the team that he took up this job! Who was going to think that this was the case? This is one of the things that most fans tend to be shocked by. This is not true for Mike Wolfe at all, at any rate.
Not Always A Professional
Using Mole Man For Their Personal Gain
Another fan favorite went on to be Ron, also known as “Mole Man.” The pickers spent plenty of time in their tunnels during that particular episode. Sadly, for their own benefit, somebody decided to use his fame. A person claimed that the reality TV personality was holding a sale, but this was nothing more than a ploy. The people who went couldn’t help but feel cheated!
Using Mole Man For Their Personal Gain
The Network Did Not Initially Want Danielle
Although Danielle is now a major part of the show, The History Channel initially did not want to embark on the project. It was a good thing that Mike and Frank stuck to their guns and ensured that she would be a part of it! This turned out, as we all know, to be for the best. Without her, we can’t imagine what the show would be like. It is a relief that, in the end, they made the right call!
The Network Did Not Initially Want Danielle
Life Is Not All That Smooth
For those of you folks who are huge antique fans, you’re probably a huge Pawn Stars fan, too. Our screen was braced back in 2009 by the TV show about a family-owned and run pawn shop in Las Vegas. The show has only become a lot more popular since its debut over a decade ago, as the years have gone on. Unfortunately for Austin Lee Russell, one of the show’s greatest stars, or as we know him,’ Chumlee’ had his fair share of ups and downs.
Life Has Not Been All That Smooth
The Star Of The Show
Pawn Stars is located in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Much of its success has been attributed to the extremely entertaining stars of the show. The one and only Chumlee are among them, particularly who’s always made his fans and colleagues laugh. He quickly earned the reputation of being a ‘funny guy’ who’s always able to brighten up the day for anyone!
The Star Of The Show
Not The Best Student In High School
Let us first start with his earlier years before we actually get down to all the nitty-gritty of the story. Chumlee did not exactly have the easiest of times growing up, according to people close to the star. And the Nevada native, as much as he tried, was not very successful in school either.
Not The Best Student In High School
He Never Graduated
Back when he was in high school, he was prone always to ask his fellow students to complete his homework in exchange for money. So it didn’t really come as a huge surprise to many people when he dropped out of school.
He Never Graduated
The Story Behind It
One thing was that Chumlee was having a hard time at school and trying to meet the academic requirements, but there was also the fact that he was bullied at one point and given a nickname. To some, ‘Chumlee’ might not sound too bad; in fact, quite the contrary. The real reason behind all this, though, was actually very mean and humiliating.
The Story Behind It
Cute Nickname But Cruel Intentions
This is how the story behind his nickname goes. It came from one of the characters called Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales from a ’60s cartoon show. The show featured a rather plump walrus named Chumley. The name just stuck, and then people kept calling him that, which is not at all flattering in the slightest.
Cute Nickname But Cruel Intentions
Friends From Childhood
Luckily, there was a good friend who stuck by his side through all the turmoil he went through as a teenager. For those who know Chumlee, you’ll know that Corey Harrison is what we’re talking about. He was not only someone Chumlee could count on, but he also eventually became one of his Pawn Stars co-stars.
Friends From Childhood
A Friendship With Employment Benefits
When these two pals were younger, one of their favorite pastimes was hanging around the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, which is actually the store owned by Corey’s dad, Rick. Of course, some great advantages and benefits also come with some good friends. To start with, when he was 21 years old, Chumlee was able to get employed at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.
A Friendship With Employment Benefits
Not What He Expected
Even though it requires great precision to be a pawn shop employee, most jobs include quite a lot of menial work. Although it looks glamorous, take it from us, there are tons of more fascinating careers out there. And although at the time of landing his first “real” job, Chumlee was young, he certainly did not expect it to turn out as it did.
Not What He Expected
Five Short Years Later
Although Chumlee was quite disappointed initially, 5 years later, he ended up working in the same profession in front of the camera. And we do not doubt after watching him on the show that he very much preferred being a TV star to being an ordinary pawn shop employee. What do you think?
Five Short Years Later
Can’t Help It
Pawn Stars really racked up a lot of fame and success, becoming increasingly popular with each passing season. And Chumlee is one of the greatest stars that made a significant contribution to the show, not to mention that he was very entertaining to everyone. He’s a huge fan of cracking jokes here and there and making people laugh every time he can, of course.
Can’t Help It
Not The Best Buys
Pinball, video games, rap, and, as most of you already know, sneakers are some of his interests. This was pretty easy to tell by just looking at all the things Chumlee liked to buy. Despite these things being great and very appealing, they were not always the best things for the business if the truth is told. Let’s take a more detailed look at why …
Not The Best Buys
Making Many Mistakes
You would have noticed that Chumlee was inclined to make a lot of silly mistakes for those who had already watched the show. Now, for those who think he just did it for laughter, that isn’t true. Apparently, before the cameras were around, he used to do this. In fact, there was a time when he left a stand-up bass resting against a shelf, which fell and broke into pieces. What made the whole situation worse is that it was worth $20,000!
Making Many Mistakes
Popularity For His Mishaps
The other members of the show enjoyed making fun of him because of all his quirky misfortunes. Take a look at Pawn Stars, and you’ll probably notice that the show is actually an ongoing trend. In fact, some might argue that this is exactly what made him one of The History Channel’s biggest favorites.
Popularity For His Mishaps
Quite The Popular Guy
Chumlee was so successful and famous that he even decided to hire a bodyguard around him whenever the cast made public appearances. Pretty awesome, right? Although this has basically happened over a fairly short time, this is how you know that people in life have already found success.
Quite The Popular Guy
Enjoying The Fame
Chumlee did not mind all the attention he was getting at the beginning of his journey. He was, in fact, enjoying all the glory very much. He also started his very own line of personalized merchandise, along with the help of a personal assistant. After that, the rest of the crowd followed his lead.
Enjoying The Fame
The Fan-Favorite
Chumlee was the one who sold the most, compared to everyone in the show. Clearly, he is the most popular member of the cast of Pawn Stars by far. Well, all we have to say to Chumlee is well done! But that’s not all. Believe it or not, the TV show star also opened a Vegas Strip candy store he named, Chumlee’s Candy on the Boulevard.
The Fan-Favorite
Quite The Private Person
He really isn’t the kind of person who talks very much about all the money he rakes in, regardless of everything he has accomplished so far in his life. However, we are aware that after selling half of the Gold & Silver shares in his name to Rick Harrison back in 2010, he made an impressive $155,000. And this is only a snippet of what he’s got …
Quite The Private Person
Surprisingly Business Minded
So why exactly did Chumlee do this? What made him come to this decision? Well, apparently, Chumlee wanted to give his merchandise business a lot more attention. Which makes sense, right? But not many people would think that a ‘klutz’ like him would have so much wisdom about business. We think this is brilliant either way!
Surprisingly Business Minded
Time To Make A Change
Chumlee also began to turn his life around in other watts, regardless of all these other things in his life. A massive thing happened just two weeks before Pawn Stars aired, which ended up changing his life forever. Actually, not too many people knew about it before, but it had to do with Chumlee ‘s father …
Time To Make A Change
A Healthier Lifestyle
Sadly, his father died in 2009 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. At the time of his passing, his dad was only 54 years old, and Chumlee himself did not lead a particularly healthy lifestyle in any way. Chumlee’s father’s awful death served as an incentive for him to follow a much better way of life. He started first by eating better and doing a lot more exercise.
A Healthier Lifestyle
The Mind And Soul
So, how did he do that? Well, Chumlee started eating a lot of healthier food and started to exercise daily. But that wasn’t all. He started doing yoga and working at the gym regularly. Obviously, he was concerned about his physical health, but his mental health was just as important. The popular TV reality star has become a huge fan of mindfulness and mediation, which is great for both the mind and the soul.
The Mind And Soul
Taking The Necessary Steps
Chumlee had set an incredible goal and was so determined to reach it, no matter what. He finally got to the point of going to the gym almost every day of the week. He did so well and even said that he had fruit smoothies for breakfast and even cut red meat out of his diet. But did all his efforts really pay off? Let’s have a look …
Taking The Necessary Steps
Impressive Transformation
Many people who know just how difficult a weight loss program is will understand that this kind of intense plan needs constant determination for good results. So take a look at the unbelievable transformation of Chumlee. He became a huge inspiration for so many people and showed just how easy it is to achieve something when you put your mind to it.
Impressive Transformation